Let me tell you one thing about myself, I love playing online games more than anything. This is my hobby and I won’t deny I’m an addict for online games, which is not a good thing, but it can’t be helped. But security is even one of the major concerns for online players and we sometimes to get hacked or something like that.
In one of the studies an incident was mentioned, in that incident Sony PSN network suffered a massive cyberattack and this resulted in private data of 77 million users getting stolen. The information included their name, number, card information and addresses (Case Studies of Major Cyberattacks in Gaming, 2024).
But this was back in 2011, and it’s been over a decade now, how are things going now? Well things are good now and in this article I will tell you how advanced tech protects online players.
Top Technologies Used to Protect Players
It might not look or feel like it, but each time you log into a reputable gaming site, various technologies start working to keep you safe from cybercriminals. So, today, we look past the RTPs and set our eyes on the technologies that protect you.
1. Data Encryption.
When you create an account on a gaming site and start playing, you share the following crucial details:
- Your personal information. In compliance with KYC requirements, players must reveal their names, addresses, and other data which is private. You may also need to upload an identification document.
- Your financial information. When depositing money or initiating a withdrawal, you link a payment method to your account, be it a card, bank account, or e-wallet.
If this data were to get into the wrong hands, you would be at risk of scams such as identity theft or even outright hacking. Gaming websites protect your data through encryption technologies, such as SSL and TSL, that ensure that your data is not available to anyone when in transit.
They also securely store the data and share their data policies with players to ensure you know who has access to your information and how they can use it. Also, what do you think is the main reason someone will stop playing online games? Know about it in the graph below.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication.
In the past, players could log into their accounts with just passwords and email addresses. While this was simple, it also posed a risk: Anyone with these details could access a player’s account. What’s more, hacking accounts was easy, as cybercriminals only had to figure out a password, and they were in.
Game providers thus realized that they needed to safeguard accounts with an extra layer of protection. Let’s look at how this works:
- Biometric authentication. Each time a player wants to access their account using a device that the website does not recognize, they must prove their identity with biometric data, e.g., completing a fingerprint scan.
- As such, if someone tries accessing your account using another device or location, they cannot get in even if they have your login details. We have this same security in our phones and other devices, and you would need biometrics to even make payments, so yes you are safe from all sides.
- Multi-factor authentication. Another common option is to send you a unique code each time you try accessing your account from a new device or location. The website can send this to your registered email or phone. If you are the one trying to get in, you can use the code to access your account. If you’re not the one trying to get in, you can take note that someone has your details and change your password immediately.
As a result of these checks, it has become much harder for cybercriminals to bypass the identification checks.
FUN Fact
The first online game was created in 1978 known as MUD1!
3. Secure Payment Processing.
Other than personal data, cybercriminals often lie in wait, looking for financial data that they can get hold of during payment processing. As such, gaming providers protect players in the following ways:
- Secure gateways. They rely on secure data encryption on their sites to ensure that payments go through without a hitch. Where a site uses payment gateways, they ensure that the integration is secure to ensure no payment loopholes.
- Multi-factor authentication. As you make your payment, the website may require you to verify that you are who you say you are. For example, when paying by card, you may need a unique code sent to your phone or email address to verify that you are the one making the transaction.
In recent years, many gaming sites have included cryptocurrencies as these rely on blockchain technology, which is often more secure. So these are some of the modern techniques, or you can say tech, that is protecting us online players.
We can rest assure because our data and personal info aren’t going anywhere, but still take precautions from your end and avoid making purchase from unknown sites and leaving your digital footprint everywhere.
